What's the Gurmat way of Matha-Tek
From what we have learned in the Sangat of Gursikhs, Matha-tek constitutes the following:
1. Walk into Guru-Darbar, with utmost humility, wearing Gurmukhi Baana. It is lack of fear and respect for Guru Sahib to not wear Baana in Guru Sahib's Darbar. Similarly, to is extremely awkward to not wear a Hazooria when coming to the Darbar. Matha-tek is not complete without Hazooria.
2. While walking towards, Guru Sahib, the eyes should be fixed upon Guru Sahib or half closed and focused towards the floor in front of Guru Sahib.
3. If one is wearing a shawl or loyee, then it should be opened from front, so that the Shasters (weapons) that Gursikh is wearing, are visible to Guru Sahib.
4. With humility, stand in front of Guru Sahib and do a short Ardaas.
5. At the conclusion of the Ardaas, do Matha-tek, get up and say Fateh to Guru Sahib, by facing Guru Sahib alone.
6. After saying Fateh to Guru Sahib, turn on right (or left) and glancing (having Darshan) of Sangat, say Fateh to Sangat. Then turn on the other side and say Fateh to Sangat on that side, while having Darshan.
7. Then find a spot and with humility, fear and love of Guru Sahib and Sangat, sit there cross-legged.
Expanding on the point 5 above, the following should be kept in mind, while Matha-tek.
1. With both hands folded, hold your Hazooria within your hands.
2. At least 9 Angs (organs) of the body must touch the ground - 2 Hands, Forehead, 2 elbows, 2 knees and 2 feet.
3. The hands should be extended as much as possible, straight ahead and they should stay folded with Hazooria within them.
4. The forehead should be touching the ground.
5. The bottom (butts) must rest on the heel of the feet. The feet should be flat on the ground in such way that the front (upper side of the feet) should be lying flat on the ground. Some people have their bottom sticking up in the sky; this is not respectable. When a person is in Matha-tek Position, he should be totally shrinked towards the ground.
6. While in this position, which is also called Anjuli in Gurmat language, it is a great idea to ask for Naam, through some Gurbani Pankiti e.g. "Phirat Phirat Prabh aaiya, Pariya tau Sharnaae||".
Gurmukhi way of Matha Tek - Feet are resting on the ground and notice how the body is totally submissive by being close to the ground, as much as possible:
In the picture below, notice the Feet are not resting on the ground and butt not resting on heels; how awkward it looks.
Of course the main thing is Bhaavnee and love but Izhaar-e-Muhabbat is also important. While Adab (respect) is important but Izhaar-e-Adab is also important.
Some brothers and sisters only Matha-tek to Guru Sahib and totally ignore the Sangat by not saying Fateh to Sangat. Our tradition is to to say Fateh to Guru Sahib and also to acknowledge Sangat by saying Fateh.
Bhul chuk dee Maafi jee.
Kulbir Singh
Guru Sahib knows the best.
Kulbir Singh
1. Walk into Guru-Darbar, with utmost humility, wearing Gurmukhi Baana. It is lack of fear and respect for Guru Sahib to not wear Baana in Guru Sahib's Darbar. Similarly, to is extremely awkward to not wear a Hazooria when coming to the Darbar. Matha-tek is not complete without Hazooria.
2. While walking towards, Guru Sahib, the eyes should be fixed upon Guru Sahib or half closed and focused towards the floor in front of Guru Sahib.
3. If one is wearing a shawl or loyee, then it should be opened from front, so that the Shasters (weapons) that Gursikh is wearing, are visible to Guru Sahib.
4. With humility, stand in front of Guru Sahib and do a short Ardaas.
5. At the conclusion of the Ardaas, do Matha-tek, get up and say Fateh to Guru Sahib, by facing Guru Sahib alone.
6. After saying Fateh to Guru Sahib, turn on right (or left) and glancing (having Darshan) of Sangat, say Fateh to Sangat. Then turn on the other side and say Fateh to Sangat on that side, while having Darshan.
7. Then find a spot and with humility, fear and love of Guru Sahib and Sangat, sit there cross-legged.
Expanding on the point 5 above, the following should be kept in mind, while Matha-tek.
1. With both hands folded, hold your Hazooria within your hands.
2. At least 9 Angs (organs) of the body must touch the ground - 2 Hands, Forehead, 2 elbows, 2 knees and 2 feet.
3. The hands should be extended as much as possible, straight ahead and they should stay folded with Hazooria within them.
4. The forehead should be touching the ground.
5. The bottom (butts) must rest on the heel of the feet. The feet should be flat on the ground in such way that the front (upper side of the feet) should be lying flat on the ground. Some people have their bottom sticking up in the sky; this is not respectable. When a person is in Matha-tek Position, he should be totally shrinked towards the ground.
6. While in this position, which is also called Anjuli in Gurmat language, it is a great idea to ask for Naam, through some Gurbani Pankiti e.g. "Phirat Phirat Prabh aaiya, Pariya tau Sharnaae||".
Gurmukhi way of Matha Tek - Feet are resting on the ground and notice how the body is totally submissive by being close to the ground, as much as possible:
In the picture below, notice the Feet are not resting on the ground and butt not resting on heels; how awkward it looks.
Of course the main thing is Bhaavnee and love but Izhaar-e-Muhabbat is also important. While Adab (respect) is important but Izhaar-e-Adab is also important.
Some brothers and sisters only Matha-tek to Guru Sahib and totally ignore the Sangat by not saying Fateh to Sangat. Our tradition is to to say Fateh to Guru Sahib and also to acknowledge Sangat by saying Fateh.
Bhul chuk dee Maafi jee.
Kulbir Singh
Guru Sahib knows the best.
Kulbir Singh